Two shootings mar carnival crime record

A hardcore of mainly of young men attended the Notting Hill Carnival with the sole intent of starting fights, commiting crime and causing trouble, the officer in charge of policing the event said early today.

While crimes and arrests were down on last year's event, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Chris Allison, in charge of policing for this year's carnival, said that from late yesterday afternoon an element determined to cause trouble turned up at the festival.

"Our officers had to work hard and deliver a strong interventionist style of policing late into the night to make sure that these criminals were not allowed to take over the streets of Notting Hill.

"Unfortunately, we witnessed groups fighting; objects being thrown at police and large groups of youths pushing roughly through crowds.

"Two young men were shot, fortunately not seriously injured, and a small number of people suffered minor stab wounds. This behaviour, coupled with the range of weapons we took off people both before the event and during, leads us to believe that this year's carnival was a draw for people determined to commit crime and cause trouble."

As many as 600,000 people were thought to have attended the carnival as sunny weather drew spectators to the noisy, sequin-encrusted spectacle.

"Sunday, traditionally children's day, passed off well and in the main without incident. Bank holiday Monday saw many thousands join in the event and have a great afternoon out," said DAC Allison.

"However, what we witnessed from five o'clock that afternoon shows that there was a hardcore, mainly of young men, who came to the carnival not to enjoy the event but to fight, commit crime and cause trouble."

There were a total 336 allegations of crime, down from 391 last year, and 206 arrests, down from 214 in 2006.